Self-locking bumper coupling



g 1938. P. L. BRATTAIN 2,127,387

SELF LOCKING BUMPER COUPLING Filed May 23, 1938 ATTORNEY.

Patented Aug. 16, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE a calm.

This invention relates to couplings and more particularly to a self-locking bumper coupling.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple, practical and inexpensive coupling of the character described. Another object is to provide an improved type of self-locking coupling intended primarily for locking motor vehicles by engagement with the bumpers thereof, although not limited to that particular type of vehicle but having general coupling use. A further object is to provide a coupling of the character described adapted for pushing as well as pulling.

Other objects and advantages will appear and be brought out more fully in the following speciflcation, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, wherein f Fig. 1 is a section view of a coupling embodying my invention and Fig. 2 is a section 2-2 of Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 is a similar sectional view taken along the line. 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, I show a coupling comprising a rigid member 5 view taken along the line which in the embodiment shown is tubular, such as a section of a pipe, having abutment end portions 6 at each end for cooperation with a pair of hook members I, each of which has a terminal hook 8 and abutments 9 and I0. A chain ii is retained within tube 5 by being secured at each end to a stud bolt I! to which is secured cap nut i3 having a seat portion 14 adapted for engagement with abutments ill or members 1. Nut I3 is suitably locked to bolt i 2 by cotter pin l5 or in any other suitable manner. An adjustable nut I311. may be screw threaded to nut l3 so as to form a tight fit between cap l6 and the bumper A. A resilient cap l6 for each nut l3 may be provided as desired. A pair of tension springs I! are secured to the opposite ends of a pair of shoulder blocks i 8 which are held against shoulders H! or bolts IQ;

The operation or; my invention should be apparent from the foregoing description. The hooks are suitably secured to a bumper A and if tension is applied between the bumpers, it will be clear that the tension would be transmitted through shoulders ill and abutments M to bolts l2 and chain i i. This action will result in the hooks 1 being held tightly to the bumper A. The action of the springs ll being such as to draw the bolts it toward each other and thus keep the gripping effect of hooks l on the bumpers. If it is desired to push one of the vehicles instead of pulling it, the effect will be the same. Pressure applied against cap nuts i3 will be transmitted to seats l4 and shoulders ill, 9 and 6 and the hooks i will again be held tightly to the bumpers by the pivoting action thereof as will be apparent. It will therefore be obvious that the hereinabove objects have been achieved by my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim 1. A self-locking coupling as described comprising an elongated rigid member having shoulders adjacent the ends thereof, a pair of hook members having abutments adapted to engage said shoulders and having additional abutments, a pair of stud pins having means to engage said additional abutments and link means interconnecting said pins.

2. A self-locking coupling as described comprising an elongated rigid member having shoulders adjacent the ends thereof, a pair of hook members having abutments adapted to engage said shoulders and having additional abutments, a pair of stud pins having means to engage said additional abutments, link means interconnecting said pins, and tension spring means interconnecting said pins.

3. A self-locking coupling as described comprising an elongated rigid member having shoulders adjacent the ends thereof, a pair of hook members having abutments adapted to engage said shoulders and having additional abutments, a pair of stud pins having means to engage said additional abutments and link means interconnecting said pins, said pins adapted to receive and transmit a compression thrust.

PAUL L. BRA'ITAIN. 

